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UNITED STATES PATENT OF ICE.

JOHN D. CHEEVER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE NEW YORK BELTINGAND PACKING COMPANY, LIMITED, OF ENGLAND.

PROCESS OF TREATING HBROUS MATERIALS FOR PRESERVING SAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 504,199, dated August29, 1893. Application filed April 22. 1892- Serial No. 430,264. (Nospecimens.) I

.which consists of a tube woven from such fibrous material, and havingan interior tube or lining of india rubber or its compounds, or otheranalogous substances; Such woven cotton or other fibrous material, mayalso be used for belting and packing, and for other purposes. 1

The principal object of my invention is to render the fabric, and thearticles into which it enters, more durable and lasting, when exposed todampness, water and other deteriorating influences.

My invention also has a secondary advantage, in that it gives to thefabric and to the articles into which the fabric goes, a better finishand commercial value. This is especially true of hose, tubing and pipes.

I will now describe how my invention may be used and practiced, by oneskilled in the art to which it pertains. As a matter of convenience, Iwill describe it in connection with the manufacture of hose, but thisdescription will be sufficient to enable it to be used and practiced inconnection with the manu-' facture of other articles by those skilled inthe art. I prepare a solution of catechu or cutch in hot water, in aboutthe proportion of four pounds of catechu or catch to ten gallons ofwater. A fibrous tube, made by methods well known to those skilled inthe art, is immersed in this solution, and when the immersion has lasteda proper length of time, it is drawn through rollers to remove theliquid. I have found that an immersion of twenty to thirty minutes and atemperature of about 212 Fahrenheit, will ordinarily be sufficient andefiective, but the proportionate amount of catechu or cutch, thetemperature, and the period of immersion, may be greatly varied. Thefibrous tube is then immersed in a solution of bi-chromate of potassiumin water, in the proportion of about two pounds to ten gallons of water.When the immersion has lasted a proper length of time, it is drawnthrough rollers to remove the liquid. I have found that an immersion oftwenty to thirty minutes, and a temperature of about 212 Fahrenheit,will ordinarily be sufficient and efiective, but the proportionateamount of bi-chromate of potassium, the temperature and the period ofimmersion, may be greatly varied. The fibrous tube is then rinsed off ina bath consisting of a solution of creosote in cold water, in theproportion of about four poundsto ten gallons of water, buttheseproportions may be greatly varied. The fibrous tube is then driedand lined, by methods well known to those skilled in the art.

The separate as well as the co-operative effects of the above describedbaths upon the material under treatment are as follows :The catechubath, containing about fifty per cent. of tannic acid andabout-forty-four per cent. of mucilaginous and resinous matter, impartsto the fiber (through the effect of the tannic acid) a dull orangecolor. The mucilaginous and resinous matter in this solution becomesincorporated into the fiber, filling the interstices thereof, therebymaking the goods stronger and more durable, as well as waterrepellent,and tending to a certain extent to make it also insect repellent. Theprinciple office of the bath in the solution of bi-chromate of potassiumis to set the mucilaginous and resinous matter whichis depositedsomewhat temporarily by the oatechu solution, making this matterinsoluble, and acting by itself to strengthen and set the fiber. Thebath in this solution also changes the color of the material to a veryserviceable dark maroon. If desirable the last bath in the creosotesolution may be omitted, but it is advantageous on account of theantiseptic qualities which creosote has. It is insect repellent, but asregards these two properties, they are developed to a sufficient degreefor ordinary purposes by the action of the first two solutions. As aprecautionary step it is advisable to subject the material to thecreosote bath, but I do not limit my invention to this last step.

The fiber from which the tubes are braided or woven, may be treated inthread or twine previous to braiding, with like advantages. Thetreatment is substantially the same as that heretofore described for thefibrous tube.

The fibrous tube which has been treated as hereinbefore'set forth willpossess the following characteristics, by which it may be distinguished:It is more durable and less liable to decay and deterioration from theelements, it has a peculiar reddish brown color, without any coloringmatter being applied other than that which is contained in the bathswith which it is treated, which color is quite durable, and the articlehas a neat appearance and finish.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The herein described process of treating fibrous material for thepurposes specified consisting in successively subjecting it to theaction of solutions of catechu and bichromate of potassium,substantially as described.

2. The herein described process of treating fibrous materials for thepurposes specified consisting of successively subjecting it to theaction of solutions of catechu, bichromate of potassium, and creosote,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this i specification in the presenceof two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN D. UI'IEEVER.

Witnesses:

VICTOR E. BURKE, ROBERT J. CUMMINGS.

